Gera aiming for pre-season comeback with West Brom after injury

The 33-year-old midfielder has set the summer as his target for a return to full fitness following his second serious knee injury in three years for the Midlands club

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera has targeted pre-season for his return to fitness and says he hasn’t considered retiring from football, despite suffering two bad knee injuries in three seasons.

The Hungarian, 33, ruptured his cruciate ligament in the Baggies’ 1-1 draw against QPR in the FA Cup last month.

Gera has praised the Midlands club for their support during his latest lay-off and hopes to sign a new contract with the Baggies once he is back in the side.

He told reporters: “I would love to get back for pre-season as I did last year. If not, that's OK. I don't mind. I just want to be fit and strong because that's the most important thing.

"I don't want to push myself because I want a new contract or want to start pre-season. The most important thing is to get ready, be strong with my knee and make sure everything is fine. When the time comes to start training, I will do it.

"When the time comes we will speak about it [a contract extension], but it is early. "It is a fresh injury and the club are supporting me.”

The midfielder, who is in his second spell at the Hawthorns having played there from 2004-08 before three years with Fulham, hasn’t been told to retire but says he will still feel content with his career should doctors tell him to hang up his boots.

He continued: "If I need to stop football now, I'll still feel good because I've played in England for nine years. If I need to stop I'll stop, but I don't think about that.

"I keep positive because I want to play football and I love football - I want to play as long as I can. I could retire happy, but I don't intend to. I have come back once and I will come back again."